Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos

[GizmosMom]

Another member suggested a new forum section with new products but it doesn't look like it will be feasible. So I thought I would post this here under General RVing Issues. If enough people post (even if you have mentioned it before in another post) we can keep it near the top?

Do you have a handy hint, a new product or an old product that makes your RVing or Camping much better?

(Sorry, no commercial advertising allowed)

I'll start:

Someone in the Camping Van posted a reference to using a Super-Chamois to wipe down their shower. I have been using an icky old thick sponge and I like the chamois idea so much more.

Now I want to hear what works for you

[PGR_Skye]

The previous owner of our 5th wheel put hinges on the dinette bench seats so instead of getting down on the floor to open the sides (which is usually difficult) we just remove the cushions and lift the seats. Put a hole in the top or a strap on top to make it easy. Now its much easier to put things into this great storage area in an orderly way and to find what you want when you open it. We use them a lot more now and they do hold a lot of items.

[wiskeyVI]

To funny Fredzo!

[Fredzo]

ctpres wrote:
With limited frig space we found zip lock bags great for leftover food storage. Dump it in, rollit up from bottom to expel air and zip it.

We do this too, and play a game called "What's that lump"!

[popeye59]

Of course you can edit your posts but you can't delete them and maybe he just changed his mind about what he was going to say. I would imagine as winter rolls in this thread will taper off a bit

[Jeanne_M]

pjeffreysr1 most likely used the opportunity for a bump...just like this will.

We need some more Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos posts folks!

[jagco]

So, Jeffrey, was your post supposed to say something???

[pjeffreysr1]

.

[helperzack]

We have a check list that we print out prior to each outing, and use a clip board, then check off each item as we take it out or load it. It has everything from necessities, to kids items, to our food staples. We use plastic bins that restaurants use to bus tables to carry things in and out to the rv. If while on our trip we find something that we need, we add it on the list for next trip.

It even has a section to check things like fire extinguishers (we have the small one that came with our rv and added a BIGGER one for safety's sake)
And a pre-trip and post-trip check and maintenance section.

This helps us make sure not to miss anything when the kids are so excited and loud because we are getting ready to go camping.

[corgimom]

To make reminders or notes in the RV, we use dry erase markers and write on the mirror. When you no longer need the reminder, it wipes off easily. True, you see a double image, but you don't forget that important thing you had to remember.

[PGR_Skye]

I use ziplocks for a lot of things at home base and in the RV. Also like to freeze foods flat then vacumn seal in Foodsaver bags ahead of time to stick in the freezer in RV when we go on trips. Saves a lot of room. Out of season clothes can be vacumn sealed, too, and stored under the bed.

Also, we use the hangers that drop down so you can hang several tops from one hanger, like one below the other. Makes the most use of such a small closet space. Didn't have to buy special ones that you see on TV, just picked up a couple at a local store.

These are probably repeats, but the thread needed a "bump".

[BigRabbitMan]

ctpres wrote:
With limited frig space we found zip lock bags great for leftover food storage. Dump it in, rollit up from bottom to expel air and zip it.

This works well. I do it at home as well.

[ctpres]

With limited frig space we found zip lock bags great for leftover food storage. Dump it in, rollit up from bottom to expel air and zip it.

[JimBollman]

That would certainly work. The one that is in my camper was homemade so could be a bit thinner and uses the wall of the closet for one side to make it thinner yet. It kind of tucks in between the wall studs.

Jim...

[beemerphile1]

JimBollman wrote:

Jeanne M wrote:

JimBollman wrote:
The previous owner of my camper built a pocket on the inside wall of the closet with three 1" X 1/2" strips (2 sides and a bottom) and a piece of mahogany board. Completely out of the way and it hold all the important manuals and charts I need to reference.

Jim...

Would it be possible for you to post of photo of this..?

Thanks.

Already in Winter storage and not accessible. Sorry if my description didn't make it clear. Think of a wooden box a little shorter than the hight of the papers/binder you want to store and a bit deeper than the thickness. Now replace one of the large flat sides with the inside wall of your closet and leave the top open to drop in the papers. When you need the papers, open the closet and reach to the side of the closet and there they are.

Wish I could draw.

Jim...

Sounds to be something like this;

They can be purchased at any office supply store rather than making one.

[PJ_in_NJ]

3 Evenings of reading and I am almost sorry that I got to the end. 🙂

In the cabinet that holds my load center (fuse panel) there is lots of free space. So I drilled a hole and installed a 12 Volt outlet with a cover next to the panel. There is only one outlet behind the TV cabinet and that is a pain to reach. Was easy to connect to the 12V feed in the panel using a 10 amp fuse. Works out much better for charging cell phones, etc.
I added another one in the overhead cabinet above the bed (connected it into the overhead light). This one is on a long cord that just lays in the cabinet when not in use. I use this to power a small 200 watt inverter to charge/run an old laptop. We keep a bunch of movies (in ipod/handheld format) on the hard drive for rainy days and for when the kids go to bed earlier than the adults.

Cheers,

PJinNJ